Busy Sunday for Port Talbot RNLI

The lifeboat was soon on scene and found the yacht high and dry on the beach with no sign of the owner near it. After enquiries had been made the owner was traced to an address close to the beach. It was decided to wait for the evening tide and attempt to refloat the yacht then. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

The lifeboat was again tasked to the yacht at 9.43pm to attempt to refloat the vessel, together with the help of shore crew. Whilst on its way to the site the lifeboat was recalled after receiving a call from the UK Coastguard that a female was heard screaming near the old pier at the opposite end of the beach. The lifeboat turned back and began searching the area on both sides of the pier. Local Coastguard Rescue Team members and police were also involved in the search, as was the police helicopter. After searching for around one hour there was no sign of anyone in the vicinity apart from fishermen, so the other emergency services were stood down.

The lifeboat then returned to the other end of the beach and found the tide was just lapping around the yacht. A rope was secured from the lifeboat to the yacht in an attempt to pull the vessel off the beach, with the shore crew pushing and rocking the yacht to try and get it back into the sea. After several attempts it moved a little but it was impossible to get it into deeper water. The decision was made with the owner to secure the yacht in its position on the beach and wait for the next high enough tide, which unfortunately is not until the 4 September.

The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Mel Cooper, Port Talbot RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07814 985057 or Chris Cousens, RNLI Press Officer, Wales and West, on 07748 265496 or 01745 585162 or by email on [email protected].

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.